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Image from Koen Smilde

Treat yourself in Amsterdam itinerary with the I amsterdam City Card

This one is for all those overdue for some pampering: spoil yourself with Michelin-star meals and exclusive guided tours on open water. Use your City Card to gain easy access across the city as you discover Amsterdam's best attractions, shops and cafes. We guarantee you won’t wish for this getaway to end!

10:00-11:00: Amsterdam Tulip Museum

Prinsengracht 116, 1015 EA Amsterdam

(regular price €5 - free with City Card)

Blossoming Orange spring tulips.
Image from Diego Gennaro

There is nothing more iconic to the Netherlands than the tulip: initially, a flower that symbolized opulence and luxury and allowed the Dutch to grow their fortunes through its trade. Learn about Tulipmania and the many varieties of this wonderful flower in this quirky museum and stock up on souvenirs that are sure to delight your family and friends.

11:00-12:00 Willet-Holthuysen Museum

(regular price €12.50 - free with City Card)

Get a peek into canal house splendour in this stately house and museum on the Herengracht. There is much to see here, from the beautiful Louis XVI-style salons and a symmetrical garden to a vast art collection. This unique estate will pull you into the world of avid 19th-century collectors Abraham Willet and Louisa Holthuysen. 

12:30-14:00: Afternoon tea at The Duchess

Spuistraat 172, 1012 VT Amsterdam

For an extra special experience head to The Duchess tea room where elegance permeates everything, from the lavish interiors to the dainty pastries and mouth-watering sandwiches. This one is a treat for the eyes and the tastebuds alike.

14:30-15:30: FOAM

Mous Lamrabat – Blessings from Mousganistan, 2023 exhibition at Foam photography gallery
Image from Christian van der Kooy

Keizersgracht 609, 1017 DS Amsterdam

(regular price €15 - free with City Card)

Step inside a stately old canal house to experience Foam, a museum dedicated entirely to photography. At any given time, it hosts four exhibitions focused on different subjects ranging from faraway cities to intriguing subcultures.

15:30-16:30: Antiques and art shopping at the Spiegelkwartier

Spiegelgracht or Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, 1017 JP Amsterdam

People walking and cycling through Spiegelkwartier in the city centre.
Image from Pauline Arkesteijn

Spiegelkwartier is an Amsterdam area known for its abundance of art and antiquities dealers. You will find Delftware pottery, paintings by contemporary artists, vintage clothes, and much more. In Gallery Delaive you can shop authentic pieces by Andy Warhol, Karel Appel, and others.

17:00-18:00: Cheese & wine canal cruise

(25% discount with the City Card)

Blue Boat Company
Image from Blue Boat Company

There’s nothing better than seeing Amsterdam from the water. Get the ultimate canal tour experience by going for a wine and cheese cruise and sit back and enjoy sailing under bridges while savouring the atmosphere. 

18:30-20:00: Luxury shopping in De Bijenkorf

Dam 1, 1012 JS Amsterdam

Bijkenkorf Amsterdam
Image from Bijenkorf Amsterdam

Step into Amsterdam’s famous mall for a premium shopping experience. De Bijenkorf is located right on the Dam square and carries everything from accessories and beauty products to clothes, stationery and homeware. With brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel and more, De Bijenkorf sets a high standard, and there’s tax-free shopping available for non-EU citizens as well.

20:00-22:00: Drinks at the W Lounge

W Hotel rooftop terrace with swimming pool
Image from W Hotel

W Hotel, Spuistraat 175, 1012 VN Amsterdam

Unwind on the W Hotel terrace with a view of the Royal Palace and a cocktail in hand. Prepare to party when the sun goes down or step out onto the wet deck for a dip in the pool.

Day 2

10:00-12:00: Stedelijk Museum

Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam

(regular price €22.5 - free with City Card)

Image from GERT JAN VAN ROOIJ

The Stedelijk Museum's impressive collection contains some 90,000 artworks dating from 1870 to the present and covers significant art movements such as Bauhaus, the Amsterdam School, De Stijl, abstract expressionism, pop art, and way more. It is a wonderland for a lover of modern art, one not to be missed.

12:15-13:15: Travel to Haarlem with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

13:30-14:30: Lunch at Fortuyn

Grote Markt 23, 2011 RC Haarlem

With a wide choice of local cheeses, a terrace with a view of the market square and fresh apple pie, this cafe ticks every box. Relax in the sun as you take in Haarlem’s cobblestoned charm before heading on to discover the best of the city.

14:30-16:00: Teylers Museum

Spaarne 16, 2011 CH Haarlem

(regular price €15 - free with City Card)

Museum Haarlem
Image from Teylers museum Haarlem

This beautiful art and science museum has been welcoming visitors since 1784. From fossils and minerals to instruments and books, Teylers’ natural history collection will ignite your sense of wonder.

16:30-18:30: Luxury spa Sauna van Egmond

Van Egmondstraat 4, 2024 XM Haarlem

Indulge in endless relaxation at one of the best spas in the Netherlands. With a swimming pool, 4 saunas, a Turkish steam room, a caldarium and even a cinema set in gorgeous interiors, there's everything you need for a worry-free time.

P.S. Please note that there is a no bathing suits policy in this spa.

Day 3

10:00-11:00: Breakfast at Blue Amsterdam

Winkelcentrum Kalverpassage, Singel 457, 1012 WP Amsterdam

This one is hidden in plain sight among the bustle of Kalverstraat, Amsterdam’s famous shopping street. Ride the elevator to the top of the Kalvertoren centre to find a cafe with 360-degree views over the Amsterdam rooftops. Grab a poached egg or a croissant (or if you’re really hungry, grab something off the lunch menu with a City Card discount) and sit back to enjoy a moment of calm in the heart of this unforgettable city.

11:00-13:00: Shopping in De 9 Straatjes neighbourhood

Between de Leidsestraat and Raadhuistraat, 1016 GJ Amsterdam

Shoppers at the Negen Straatjes shopping area.
Image from Koen Smilde

There’s no better spot for shopping than the 9 Streets area of Amsterdam. Filled with local businesses that range from luxury undergarments to flower and ceramics shops, this area is filled with surprises. But you can count on finding excellent vintage clothing haunts, chocolateries overflowing with bonbons and pop-up stores you won’t find anywhere else.

13:00-14:00: Lunch at Restaurant Nooch

Reestraat 11, 1016 DM Amsterdam

If you like Asian fusion, don’t miss Nooch. This restaurant blends Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Thai influences into a menu that’s perfect for sharing. Don’t like fish? Not to worry. There are plenty of vegetarian options: enjoy some vegetable noodle soup and a plate of Mochi ice cream for dessert. 

14:30-15:30: Diamant Museum Amsterdam

Crown in the collections at the Diamond Museum Diamant Museum - Royal Coster Diamonds
Image from Diamant Museum Amsterdam

Paulus Potterstraat 8, 1071 CZ Amsterdam

(regular price €12.5 - free with City Card)

Step into this 19th-century mansion museum to discover the most famous jewels in the world, look at unique art objects made of diamonds and learn about the craft that it takes to bring the shine out of every diamond. The 4C’s exhibition will give you insight into what defines a diamond’s quality, leaving you prepared to explore the jewellery on offer.

If you want to find out more about the work that goes into the diamond, take a tour of the Royal Coster Diamonds next door or the GASSAN Diamonds factory, both of which are included in the City Card.

15:30-16:30: House of Bols

House of Bols bartender preparing cocktails
Image from House of Bols

Paulus Potterstraat 12 14 16, 1071 CZ Amsterdam

(25% discount with City Card)

Reward yourself with a cocktail at the House of Bols and learn about jenever, also known as the Dutch gin. Enjoy one of the bartender’s concoctions in the Mirror Bar or come up with your own.

17:00-19:00: Dinner RIJKS

Museumstraat 2, 1071 XX Amsterdam

Where better to end your evening than in a Michelin-starred restaurant? RIJKS, the museum’s eponymous creation, is out to satisfy with a twist on Dutch cuisine and a celebration of locally-sourced ingredients that truly shine on the plate.

20:00-22:00: Fabrique des Lumières

Pazzanistraat 37, 1014 DB Amsterdam

(25% discount with the City Card)

Fabrique des Lumières at Westerpark - Gustav Klimt exhibition.
Image from Culturespaces / Eric Spiller

Immerse yourself in art through the Fabrique des Lumières light show combining visual installations with famous artworks and a musical soundtrack that underscores your visit. This new way to experience art in a digital and engaging way will leave you wanting more.